The performance data for the second chapter of Anohana arrived, and it confirmed exactly what most people had anticipated. The total reader vote count stood at 3,016, placing it fourteenth, the very bottom of the rankings. In terms of rating, it earned an 8.2, which sat at thirteenth place.
Meanwhile, the newcomer Azure Flame Tail made a strong entrance with 5,152 votes and an 8.4 rating, taking tenth and ninth place respectively.
As for Reina's Star Sea, its popularity ranking climbed by one spot while its rating remained steady.
On paper, Anohana was officially the least popular series in the current issue of Crimson Maple.
However, despite the low numbers, there wasn't much negative noise within the industry or among the fandom. While the pacing was undeniably slow and the central mystery of Menma's wish remained unsolved, the quality of the writing was impossible to fault. It was like a student who consistently scored B-pluses; the teacher might not shower them with praise, but they had no reason to scold them either.
Furthermore, while the ranking looked grim, the actual numbers for Anohana were technically on an upward trajectory.
Friday was deadline day.
By now, summer break had officially begun for Haruto and Reina. With their academic burdens lifted, both were able to devote themselves entirely to their manuscripts, and they looked much more refreshed than they had during the exam season.
"An entire semester has just flown by. I still remember meeting you both for the first time back in the winter, when you were still on winter break. Time really is a blur. I'm so jealous of high school students," Yukino sighed. She was wearing a white summer dress that left her slender arms bare, and her eyes sparkled with genuine envy at the mention of their vacation.
"I'd actually prefer to grow up as fast as possible," Reina replied casually. "I want to get through high school so I can go away to university. Then I wouldn't have to act like a fugitive every day, worrying about my family finding out what I'm doing."
As she spoke, her gaze drifted toward Haruto, who was currently preoccupied with examining Yukino's extensive collection of anime figurines and merchandise.
"Speaking of which, Haruto, you're remarkably composed," Yukino remarked, noting his relaxed posture. "Your popularity is currently at the bottom of the Crimson Maple rankings. How are you not panicking?"
"Why should I be in a rush? Popularity isn't something I can control; that's up to the readers. Besides, I have a feeling the numbers will start to climb in a week or two," Haruto said. He knew people called it a slow-burn, but that really only applied to the first four chapters.
Once the foundation was laid and the character dynamics were clear, the story would naturally find its stride.
Yukino let out a long, weary sigh. Between the two of them, Reina took writing almost too seriously, agonizing over every single word choice, while Haruto was far too nonchalant.
Once the words were on the page, he seemed to carry no stress at all.
Yukino turned her attention to the drafts they had brought in today.
After finishing them, a look of deep reflection crossed her face. Reina's growth as an author was still on a steep upward curve, with the quality of Star Sea improving with every chapter.
On the other hand, the chapters Haruto submitted today, episodes five and six, were where the story truly started to get good.
"How long are you planning to make these series?" Yukino asked.
"For Star Sea, I'm thinking of at least twenty chapters," Reina said after a moment of consideration. "But if I get a good idea during the process, the length might increase."
"For me, Anohana will probably be similar to the Blue Spring Ride. About thirteen or fourteen chapters," Haruto replied.
"That's... quite short," Yukino noted, shaking her head. "But maybe that's for the best. Stick to your original vision. While the content might be brief, it allows the story to reach its peak without being dragged out. I hate it when authors find success and then bloat their work with filler just to keep the checks coming, ruining a potential masterpiece."
"In fact, I hate two types of authors above all else: those who write bad endings, and those who refuse to let a story end because they're making money, completely disregarding the narrative structure."
"Is that why you became an editor?" Haruto asked. "So you could exercise your authority to stop bad authors from existing?"
"Not exactly," Yukino replied, her lips curving into a smile as she looked at him. "Actually, I don't think I ever told you this. My family isn't originally from around here; we're from Tokyo. My father owns a multimedia production company there. Ever since I graduated, he's been hounding me to come back and serve as his assistant so I can eventually take over the business."
'A classic rich heiress,' Haruto thought.
He glanced around the room at her expensive collectibles. With an editor's salary, there was no way she could afford all of this without a massive safety net.
"A family business in Tokyo sounds great. Why didn't you listen to him?"
"Rich heiress? Please. There are too many wealthy people in Tokyo. At best, my family is just upper-middle class. I'm fine with living a comfortable life, but the whole corporate ladder thing isn't for me," Yukino laughed. Having known them for over half a year, she viewed them as genuine friends and felt comfortable discussing her personal life.
"I love anime, novels, and films, but that doesn't mean I want to be involved in the stress of producing them. I studied literature, so being an editor lets me read new stories first. It's the perfect marriage of hobby and profession. Besides, being an editor here is mostly a way to hide from my father."
Her expression softened as she continued. "But my attitude has changed a bit. This was my first job out of university, and it will likely be my last. I want to spend my career discovering at least a few stories that fans will genuinely love. I want to unearth writers with real potential."
"That way, if I ever have to go back to Tokyo and people try to dismiss me as someone who only got where they are because of their family, I can shut them up. I'll tell them, 'I had the eye to discover authors like Shiori Takahashi and Airi from the masses. Can you say the same?'"
Yukino laughed openly as she made the joke.
Haruto and Reina exchanged a glance; they hadn't realized she felt so strongly about her role. They had simply assumed she was a bored wealthy girl experiencing the "commoner" life.
"Anyway, do you both remember the reward I promised you for passing the serialization meeting?" Yukino's eyes twinkled with a mischievous light.
"Originally, I was going to give you some rare items from my collection in Tokyo as a gift. Since I don't have many friends in this region, spending time with you two is when I'm at my most relaxed."
"And now?" Haruto asked. He knew the word "originally" always preceded a "but."
"I've changed my mind," Yukino said. "You're both students. You spend your days in class and your nights writing, and you spend your few free moments discussing plots with me. I was thinking about it, and that's a pretty tragic way to spend your youth."
"How can two people who write stories celebrating the 'youthful' adventures of high school protagonists live such boring lives themselves?" Yukino stood up, her hair swaying gently. "So, are you both free this Sunday?"
"Sunday? I'm free," Haruto said. "It's summer break, so I have plenty of time to write. I live alone anyway, so no one's going to stop me."
"I can tell my family I'm going to a piano recital at the concert hall," Reina added.
Both were curious about the reward, which made them quick to agree.
"Great! In that case, this Sunday, we're going to get dressed up. We're going to the big summer anime convention in the city!" Yukino announced excitedly. "Makeup, props, costumes, food... I'm covering everything. Consider it my treat for a full day of fun. What do you think?"
"Wait, what?" Reina blinked.
"Is this the reward? Seriously?" Haruto looked completely bewildered.
"What's with those faces? It'll be great!" Yukino beamed.
Haruto hesitated. "Isn't this just us accompanying you to a convention because you're lonely? And from the sounds of it, you don't just want to go; you want us to cosplay? That's... that's incredibly embarrassing."
The memories of Shiori dressed in a maid outfit for a convention flashed through Haruto's mind. The secondhand embarrassment from those forgotten memories made him wince.
Yukino gave him a sharp look. "What, you're not willing?"
"I..."
"I'll do it."
A calm, feminine voice cut him off. Haruto looked at Reina in total disbelief, only to see a flicker of genuine interest in her usually cool, detached eyes.
'What is wrong with you? Stop revealing weird personality traits that don't match your image!' Haruto screamed internally.
"And you, Haruto?" Yukino asked, her gaze fixed on him. "Don't be a spoilsport. Are you telling me a self-proclaimed otaku is afraid of a convention?"
Haruto looked at the two of them. He knew she was baiting him, but he fell for it anyway. "Fine, whatever. I'll go."
It wasn't that he hated conventions.
He'd been a fan for years, but he'd never gone with girls before. Besides, since his father passed away, he hadn't really gone out with friends. A change of pace might be exactly what he needed.
"Perfect. Meet at my place this Sunday at 4:00 AM sharp," Yukino commanded with a satisfied grin.
Half an hour later, Haruto and Reina stepped out of Yukino's apartment. They stood by the curb waiting for their respective taxis. Before his car arrived, Haruto waved to her.
"See you Sunday, I guess."
"See you... Sunday," Reina replied, her voice trailing off slightly.
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